Filly & Mare Turf Diary

FILLY & MARE TURF DIARY

JULY 1, 2008

by Kellie Reilly

In this issue, we'll highlight several notable performances from stars both

familiar and new. Then we'll survey the likely field for one of the marquee

events of the year, Saturday's American Oaks Invitational (G1) at Hollywood

Park.

Star performer: PRECIOUS KITTEN (Catienus) was back to her

professional best in the Gamely S. (G1) at Hollywood on Memorial Day. After

enduring a disadvantageous trip when fifth in her seasonal reappearance in the

Jenny Wiley S. (G2) at Keeneland, the Bobby Frankel mare deserved to have a more

congenial passage in the Gamely, and the racing Fates duly obliged with a

text-book set-up. When DIAMOND DIVA (GB) (Dansili [GB]) decided to wing it

early, Precious Kitten was content to let her go and relaxed kindly in second,

far enough off the rapid fractions to conserve energy, but still well ahead of

the rest of the pack. Thus strategically positioned by Rafael Bejarano, who must

have been stung by Frankel's open criticism of his ride in the Jenny Wiley,

Precious Kitten was assured of getting the first crack at the tearaway leader,

and getting the jump on the deep-closing RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit).

That's exactly what happened. Despite the fact that Precious Kitten was

conceding six pounds to Diamond Diva (123 versus 117), she took aim on the

pacesetter turning for home, quickly mastered her in the stretch and sailed

across the wire with 2 1/4 lengths to spare. Her final time for 1 1/8 miles on

the firm turf was a sharp 1:45 1/5. Diamond Diva did not crumple when passed,

but instead soldiered on for second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Rutherienne, who

managed to make up some ground but never looked like threatening the top two.

Unfortunately, the racing Fates have doled out a fresh bit of woe for

Precious Kitten. The half-sister to 2004 turf champion Kitten's Joy (El Prado

[Ire]) was battling a quarter-crack even before the Gamely, according to

Daily Racing Form, and an infection ensued. Frankel told the DRF that this

setback has cost Precious Kitten time, and she will probably not reappear until

August.

Honorable mention: MAURALAKANA (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) advanced her 2008

record to a sterling four-for-five with a pair of Grade 2 victories at Belmont.

In the May 24 Sheepshead Bay H. (G2), the Christophe Clement trainee settled

well off the dawdling pace, then produced lightning-quick acceleration that may

be best described as startling. Within a matter of strides, Mauralakana

annihilated the field and stormed three lengths clear in a massively impressive

display. Her score in the June 21 New York S. (G2) was not so awe-inspiring, but

she still got the job done. Racing much closer to the pace this time around,

Mauralakana struck the front in the stretch and had to work to fend off the

persistent DYNAFORCE (Dynaformer), who was making her American debut for Bill

Mott. Mauralakana spotted the French Group 2-placed Dynaforce seven pounds (123

to 116) and kept her at bay by a hard-fought neck. Considering that Dynaforce

was rank early while making her first start in 10 months, she is eligible to

move forward off this encouraging effort.

The August 9 Beverly D. S. (G1) at Arlington Park is next on the agenda for

Mauralakana. Beyond that, her future is unclear. Owner Robert Scarborough had

planned to send her to Australia to be bred during the upcoming Southern

Hemisphere breeding season, but if she captures the Beverly D. and puts herself

in contention for an Eclipse Award, a broodmare career may have to wait.

On the other hand, there could be an alternative solution, at least in

theory, if her owner does not want to lose an entire breeding season.

Mauralakana's post-Beverly D. campaign would involve a maximum of two races,

culminating in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Hence, it would be

possible to breed her to a U.S. stallion, for arrangements can be made to do so

on Southern Hemisphere time, and run her in the early days of pregnancy. It's

done in Europe with very good results (such as Grecian Dancer's five-length romp

in the May 24 Ridgewood Pearl S. [Ire-G3]). Obviously, I'd prefer to see

Mauralakana wrap up her racing days before venturing to the breeding shed, but

it would be crushing to see her whisked away from us if she could be in the

midst of a championship season.

On the upswing: VENTURA (Chester House) abruptly catapulted herself

into the upper ranks by capturing the Just a Game S. (G1) on Belmont Day,

stopping the teletimer in a sizzling 1:32 3/5 for the firm-turf mile. The

Juddmonte Farms homebred was extremely aggressive early, but Garrett Gomez

eventually got the Frankel filly to calm down and stalk the pace. When a glimpse

of daylight emerged along the rail at the top of the stretch, Ventura took full

advantage of it to burst through, thereby beating LADY OF VENICE (Fr) (Loup

Solitaire) to the punch. Lady of Venice followed Ventura and found room to her

inside, but although Lady of Venice rallied gamely, Ventura remained

three-quarters of a length in front at the line. Both flew home in the final

quarter, with Lady of Venice posting approximately :22.

Like so many of her esteemed Juddmonte colleagues, Ventura began her career

in Europe, but she cannot boast any high-level accomplishments over there.

Indeed, she broke her maiden at Folkestone (not exactly on the short-list of

premier British racecourses) and toiled in handicap company before trying the

all-weather surface at Kempton, where she scored a handy victory over older

males in the Hyde S. In the process, Ventura earned her ticket to the United

States. She made her American stakes debut in the seven-furlong Madison S. (G2)

on Keeneland's Polytrack and drove to a one-length victory. Switched to the

turf, she despised the rain-softened ground in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

(G3) on Kentucky Derby Day and wound up third, but she clearly relished the firm

turf at Belmont to post a career-best performance.

Looking at the long-term Breeders' Cup prospects for Ventura, it would not be

a total surprise if she opts to tackle the Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita,

given her affinity for synthetic surfaces. For the moment, however, she is

sticking to the turf. Ventura is headed to Saturday's CashCall Mile Invitational

(G2) at Hollywood, and another clash with Lady of Venice, the defending CashCall

champion, who can exact revenge for the Just a Game. Also set for the CashCall

is Diamond Diva, who figures to enjoy cutting back in trip to a flat mile after

her brave effort in the nine-furlong Gamely. Diamond Diva might also prefer not

having to play front runner.

Back on track: Like Ventura, champion DREAMING OF ANNA (Rahy) also

rebounded from a placed effort in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. Next time out

in the June 14 Mint Julep H. (G3) at Churchill, Dreaming of Anna put on a

front-running tour de force to stretch clear by 2 1/2 commanding lengths. It

wasn't the deepest field, but the talented chestnut dismissed them the right

way. Conditioner Wayne Catalano indicated that she will likely train up to the

Beverly D.

Also deserving a nod is ROSINKA (Ire) (Soviet Star), who successfully

defended her title in the June 7 John W. Rooney Memorial S. at Delaware Park.

Making her first start since her gritty runner-up effort in the Flower Bowl

Invitational S. (G1) last fall, the Graham Motion mare posted a wire-to-wire

score to kick off her 2008 campaign in good order. Rosinka will now set her

sights on another title defense at Delaware in the July 12 Robert G. Dick

Memorial S., which has been justly elevated to Grade 3 status this year.

Virtue rewarded: BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) at last shed her

bridesmaid tag with a convincing victory in this past Sunday's Beverly Hills H.

(G2), setting the seal on a terrific weekend at Hollywood for horseman John

Sadler. The ultra-consistent closer richly deserved a stakes victory after

placing in her seven prior attempts, and this was the ideal spot to achieve her

objective. Black Mamba will always be vulnerable to the Precious Kittens of the

world, but she is as honest as they come.

Missing the mark: Rutherienne was a respectable third in the Gamely,

where she still posted strong closing fractions, but her third-place effort in

the June 21 All Along S. (G3) at Colonial Downs was much more disappointing.

Perhaps it came too soon after her whirlwind, round-trip visit to Hollywood, or

maybe she disliked the Colonial turf that was absorbing a sudden deluge of rain

that afternoon. In any event, Rutherienne was just simply outkicked in the

stretch by LADY DIGBY (Grand Slam), who has been quietly rising through the

ranks for Motion. To her credit, Rutherienne tried her heart out to secure

third, but the 3-5 favorite looked flat-footed compared to the powerful late

rush of Lady Digby.

Paris Winds (Ire) update: In our last installment, PARIS WINDS (Ire)

(Galileo [Ire]) was tabbed as an interesting mare to follow, and the Mott

pupil followed up with a terrific near-miss performance in the June 1 Beautiful

Pleasure S. at Belmont. Spotting the classy French Group 2 winner ALL IS VANITY

(Fr) (Gold Away [Ire]) three pounds and a head start in the stretch, Paris Winds

finished strongly and just lost on the head-bob at the end of the 1 1/16-mile

affair. She has trained steadily since, continues to hold a few graded stakes

nominations, and would probably prefer stepping up in trip.

American Oaks Invitational: The seventh running of this 1 1/4-mile

prize has once again lured a quality field with several international shippers,

although there is sadly no Japanese representative this time around. The best of

the invading quartet is the Dermot Weld-trained CARRIBEAN SUNSET (Ire) (Danehill

Dancer), who has a profile eerily reminiscent of Dimitrova, the winner of the

2003 American Oaks for Weld. Like Dimitrova, Carribean Sunset captured the

Leopardstown One Thousand Guineas Trial S., which is now a Group 3 event, and

was a close third in the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1). (Granted, Carribean Sunset was promoted to third via disqualification, but she was beaten

a total of a half-length.) Unlike Dimitrova, Carribean Sunset subsequently raced at Royal

Ascot, checking in third to the brilliant Lush Lashes (Galileo [Ire]) in the

one-mile Coronation S. (Eng-G1).

Prix Caravelle winner SATAN'S CIRCUS (Gone West) is coming off a distant

fifth to the sublime Zarkava (Zamindar) in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks

[Fr-G1]). ANNIE SKATES (Mr. Greeley) already has a transatlantic raid under her

belt, having finished a strong runner-up in the Epitome S. at Monmouth last

fall. Two starts back, she was second to Michita (Dynaformer), who most recently

romped in the Ribblesdale S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot. Rounding out the

international contingent is ZASKAR (GB) (Anabaa), runner-up in the Prix Urban

Sea last time out.

In the past two editions of the American Oaks, the laurels have been won by

American fillies who had been mixing it up with the best of their division on

the dirt -- Wait a While (Maria's Mon) (2006) and Panty Raid (2007). PURE CLAN (Pure Prize)

fits this pattern exquisitely. A Grade 2 winner during her perfect two-year-old

season, the Bob Holthus trainee chased the magnificent Eight Belles at Oaklawn

Park this spring, and then came in third to Proud Spell (Proud Citizen) in the

Kentucky Oaks (G1). Pure Clan reverted to the grass for the June 14 Regret S.

(G3) at Churchill and looked like a natural on the surface, bounding away late

by 2 3/4 lengths. If she continues the recent trend in the American Oaks, Pure

Clan would pay a handsome tribute to the ill-fated Eight Belles.

BACKSEAT RHYTHM (El Corredor) also distinguished herself on the main track,

placing in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Frizette S. (G1),

and most recently powered home by six lengths in a 1 1/4-mile turf allowance

versus her elders at Belmont.

The other American invitees are RAW SILK (Malibu Moon), a smashing winner of

the May 31 Sands Point S. (G2) at Belmont; Providencia S. (G2) victress MISSIT

(Ire) (Orpen); Melair S. scorer BEL AIR SIZZLE (Unusual Heat), who was second in

the Honeymoon H. (G2) in her latest;

Senorita S. (G3) near-misser MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]); CLEARLY FOXY (Volponi),

successful in the Natalma S. (Can-G3) as a juvenile and an allowance/optional

claimer at Churchill most recently; and Grade 3-placed MY BABY BABY (Bernstein),

who is exiting an impressive triumph in a Churchill allowance over older

distaffers.

On the horizon: Our next installment will recap the American Oaks, CashCall

Mile, Sunday's Locust Grove H. (G3) at Churchill, the July 12 Modesty

H. (G3) at Arlington and the Dick Memorial, as well as the July 19 Virginia Oaks

(G3).